Convertible bathing suit and lingerie

ABSTRACT

A convertible garment may be provided. This convertible garment may be a two-piece “bikini style” bathing suit or bra and panty set which may be convertible to a “baby-doll” bathing suit or bra and panty set, providing abdominal coverage. This may be accomplished through the provision of a removable midriff apron which attaches to the top of the bikini style swim suit or bra providing partial or circumferential coverage of the midriff (abdomen and/or back) during pregnancy or otherwise when desired.

BACKGROUND

Early swimwear, particularly for women, covered up a considerable portion of the body. Swimwear has since evolved to the tight fitting one piece bathing suits and then to the two piece bathing suit. From there swimwear has developed to include the bikini with some of the very small ones being referred to as mini or micro bikinis. This same trend has occurred in the private sector, behind the closed doors of couples' bedrooms, in an attempt to maintain the intimacy between women and their significant others. Corsets have given way to bras and panties, which have given way to thongs and other forms of lingerie

These latter types of swimwear and lingerie may be fine for many women to wear when swimming, sunbathing or enticing their significant other but are not always suitable for the pregnant woman, the self-conscious woman, the woman struggling with weight control issues or the woman with scars related to midline incisions due to Caesarean Section births, hysterectomies, and the like.

To not show their baby bumps, scars, insecurities or imperfections in public, is a difficult chore for this subset of women, most of whom forgo certain activities or don a typical, traditional “one-piece” suit. Some opt for a two piece bathing suit, which can be folded down when in private. These options may not be great alternatives for the women who find the bikini style garment more comfortable or wish to have a genuine bikini suntan. Additionally, it may not be practical to have separate garments when a desire for such covering is only temporary.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment, a convertible garment may be disclosed. The convertible garment may include a top portion, a midriff portion, and a bottom portion. The top portion and the midriff portion may include at least one fastener. The at least one fastener may allow the midriff portion to be removably attached to the top portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment.

FIG. 4 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a second exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment.

FIG. 6 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of a third exemplary embodiment of a convertible garment.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of convertible garment fasteners.

FIG. 9 shows a second exemplary embodiment of convertible garment fasteners.

FIG. 10 shows a third exemplary embodiment of convertible garment fasteners.

FIG. 11 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of convertible garment fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

Referring to the figures generally, a convertible garment 100 may be provided. It may be recognized by a person having ordinary skill in the art that convertible garment 100 may be a bathing suit, lingerie, or similar two piece garment. An exemplary embodiment of garment 100 may have a top portion 120, a bottom portion 140, and a midriff portion 160.

An exemplary embodiment of top portion 120 may have similar components to a typical bra or bikini top. This may include breast cups 122, a back strap, and optionally neck straps or shoulder straps 126. A plurality of fasteners 130 configured to secure a midriff portion 160 may be installed on top portion 120. Fasteners 130 may be oriented along a top edge of breast cups 122 and back strap so as to cover top portion 120. Alternatively, fasteners 130 may be oriented proximate the middle or a lower edge 128 of the top portion 120. Fasteners 130 may be disposed along an interior of a lower edge 128 of top portion 120 such that fasteners 130 are not visible when midriff portion 160 is not attached. In some embodiments, the fasteners 130 may extend all the way around the top portion 120 of a convertible garment 100. In alternative embodiments, fasteners 130 may extend only partly around the circumference of top portion 120. For example, fasteners 130 may only extend along a front of top portion 120. In yet further embodiments, fasteners 130 may be intermittently configured. For example, fasteners 130 may extend only along a lower edge of breast cups 122, or along a lower edge of breast cups 122 and at least one point along a back strap. Fasteners 130 may be positioned around top portion 120 in a variety of configurations so as to create various aesthetic affects. Exemplary fasteners 130 may include snaps, hooks, buttons, hook and loop type fasteners, zippers, magnets, ribbons, ties, or other fasteners as may be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. In embodiments utilizing hook and loop type fasteners, fasteners 130 may include hook material, loop material, or any combination thereof.

Midriff portion 160 may also be shaped and sized in a variety of configurations so as to cover different portions of a wearer's body or to create desired aesthetic effects. The various configurations may be intended for different applications. For example, a midriff portion 160 may be configured for maternity applications or non-maternity applications. In maternity applications, midriff portion 160 may be configured and sized appropriately to accommodate a wearer's pregnant mid-section. Alternatively, in non-maternity applications, midriff portion 160 may be configured and sized to accommodate a wearer's non-pregnant mid-section. In various exemplary embodiments, midriff portion 160 may cover only a portion of the circumference of a wearer's body. Also, midriff portion 160 may only cover a front portion of a wearer's midriff, leaving an open back. Midriff portion 160 alternatively may be a complete cylindrical shape. Midriff portion 160 may also be loose fitting in some embodiments or tight fitting in others. Midriff portion 160 may be joined to top portion 120 such that an overlap of the midriff fabric is created. Alternatively, midriff portion 160 and top portion 120 may be joined such that an overlap is not formed. In some exemplary embodiments and as shown in the exemplary figures, midriff portion 160 b may be longer, so as to cover bottom portion 140. In other embodiments, midriff portion 160 c may even extend to approximately the feet of the wearer, similar to a gown or dress (shown as 160 c in exemplary FIG. 1). Midriff portions 160 may be interchangeable with a variety of tops and bottoms. For example a wearer may mix and match colors or styles of convertible garment 100 components.

In an exemplary embodiment, bottom portion 140 may include leg openings 142 and a body opening 144. Top portion 120, bottom portion 140 and midriff portion 160 may be worn together or in any desired combination. It may be realized by a person having ordinary skill in the art that to wear a midriff portion 160 may require the wearing of at least a top portion having compatible fasteners. An exemplary midriff portion 160 may include counterpart fasteners 132 to the fasteners 130 installed on top portion 120. The midriff portion 160 may include an upper edge 168 which may have a plurality of securing fasteners 132 configured to secure to fasteners 130 on the top portion of a convertible garment 100. In one exemplary embodiment, fasteners 132 may be negatively charged magnetic fasteners 132 which are spaced to attach to positively charged magnetic fasteners 130 on an interior of lower edge 128 of top portion 120. Exemplary fasteners 132 may include counter parts to exemplary fasteners 130, including snaps, hooks, buttons, hook and loop type fasteners, zippers, magnets, ribbons, ties, or other fasteners as may be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. In embodiments utilizing hook and loop type fasteners, fasteners 132 may include hook material, loop material, or any combination thereof.

Convertible garment 100 may further include extensions of fabric or other material to separate fasteners from a wearer's skin. Similarly, fabric or other materials may be used to hide fasteners from sight. In the case of magnetic fasteners, the fasteners may be fully enclosed between layers of fabric. In yet further embodiments, fasteners themselves may be decoratively configured, as opposed to purely functional embodiments.

In some embodiments, bottom portion 140 may include fasteners for interacting with midriff portion 160. The connection of fasteners on bottom portion 140 with fasteners on midriff portion 160 may be used to give an impression of a one-piece bathing suit type garment, or may be used to tie off or secure midriff portion in a desired orientation. For example, the fasteners may retain midriff portion 160 close to a wearer's body along a waistline.

To use the an exemplary embodiment of a convertible bathing suit 100, the wearer thereof may put on top portion 120, with or without midriff 160 attached, and bottom portion 140 in a typical manner of putting on lingerie, a bathing suit or bikini. For clarity of this disclosure, when the midriff portion is attached, the convertible garment 100 may be referred to as being in the “baby doll” configuration, whereas when it is not attached it may be referred to as being in the “bikini” configuration. The wearer may swim, sunbathe, and engage in the other normal activities with the garment in either the “baby doll” type or bikini type configuration, as seen fit. Whenever it is desired to shield or conceal the midriff/abdomen, the wearer may simply take the midriff portion 160 and secure the fasteners 132 thereof to the fasteners 130 of the top portion 120. The wearer may then engage in any desired activities where there is a concern for midriff/abdominal exposure. Once the need for the midriff portion 160 has passed, the user thereof may simply unsecure the same from the top portion 120 and return to wearing a bikini. From the above it may be seen that the convertible garment is readily convertible from a bikini to a “baby doll” configuration and back to a bikini.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A convertible garment comprising: a top portion, a midriff portion, and a bottom portion, wherein the midriff portion and top portion further comprise at least one fastener for removably securing the midriff portion to the top portion.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener on the midriff portion and top portion comprises one of a snap, hook, button, buttonhole, hook material, loop material, zipper, magnet, ribbon, or tie.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion further comprises at least one fastener configured to interact with at least one additional fastener on the midriff portion, so as to secure the midriff portion to the bottom portion.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener secures the midriff portion to the top portion proximate a lower edge of the top portion.
 5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the at least one fastener is disposed on an interior side of the top portion.
 6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener is configured along the bottoms of breast cups of the top portion.
 7. The garment of claim 1, further comprising one of flaps or sleeves for concealing the at least one fastener.
 8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the midriff portion is configured to cover the bottom portion when worn attached to the top portion.
 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the midriff portion is configured to circumferentially cover a wearer's midsection
 10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the midriff portion is configured to cover a front portion of a wearer's midsection.
 11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the top portion, midriff portion, and bottom portion may be interchangeable. 